WAT RVSM
2) If you had an emergency and had to descend through RVSM airspace, I would think that declaring the emergency should be adequate, but I have not operated in RVSM yet- anyone want to clarify this for me?
From the RVSM procedures for the Western Atlantic:
6.2 The following general procedures apply to both subsonic and supersonic aircraft and are intended as guidance only. Although all possible contingencies cannot be covered, they provide for cases of inability to maintain assigned level due to:
weather;
aircraft performance;
pressurization failure; and
problems associated with high-level supersonic flight.
6.3 The procedures are applicable primarily when rapid descent and/or turn-back or diversion to an alternate airport is required. The pilot’s judgment shall determine the sequence of actions to be taken, taking into account specific circumstances.
6.4 If an aircraft is unable to continue flight in accordance with its air traffic control clearance, a revised clearance shall, whenever possible, be obtained prior to initiating any action, using a distress or urgency signal as appropriate.
6.5 If prior clearance cannot be obtained, an ATC clearance shall be obtained at the earliest possible time and, until a revised clearance is received, the pilot shall:
a) if possible, deviate away from an organized track or route system;
b) establish communications with and alert nearby aircraft by broadcasting, at suitable intervals: flight identification, flight level, aircraft position, (including the ATS route designator or the track code) and intentions on the frequency in use, as well as on frequency 121.5 MHz (or, as a back-up, the VHF inter-pilot air-to-air frequency 123.45);
c) watch for conflicting traffic both visually and by reference to ACAS (if equipped); and
d) turn on all aircraft exterior lights (commensurate with appropriate operating limitations).
7.0 In-flight Contingency Procedures for Subsonic Aircraft Requiring Rapid Descent, Turn-back or Diversion
Initial action
7.1 If unable to comply with the provisions of paragraph 6.3 to obtain a revised ATC clearance, the aircraft should leave its assigned route or track by turning 90 degrees right or left whenever this is possible. The direction of the turn should be determined by the position of the aircraft relative to any organized route or track system (for example, whether the aircraft is outside, at the edge of, or within the system). Other factors to consider are terrain clearance and the levels allocated to adjacent routes or tracks.
Subsequent action
7.2 AIRCRAFT ABLE TO MAINTAIN LEVEL. An aircraft able to maintain its assigned level should acquire and maintain in either direction a track laterally separated by 30 NM from its assigned route or track and once established on the offset track, climb or descend 500 ft (150 m).
7.3 AIRCRAFT UNABLE TO MAINTAIN LEVEL. An aircraft NOT able to maintain its assigned level should, whenever possible, minimize its rate of descent while turning to acquire and maintain in either direction a track laterally separated by 30 NM from its assigned route or track. For subsequent level flight, a level should be selected which differs by 500 ft (150 m) from those normally used.
7.4 DIVERSION ACROSS THE FLOW OF ADJACENT TRAFFIC. Before commencing a diversion across the flow of adjacent traffic, the aircraft should, while maintaining the 30 NM offset, expedite climb above or descent below levels where the majority of aircraft operate (e.g., to a level above FL 410 or below FL 290) and then maintain a level which differs by 500 ft (150 m) from those normally used. However, if the pilot is unable or unwilling to carry out a major climb or descent, the aircraft should be flown at a level 500 ft above or below levels normally used until a new ATC clearance is obtained.
8.0 Weather Deviation Procedures
General procedures
8.1 The following procedures are intended to provide guidance for deviations around thunderstorms. All possible circumstances cannot be covered. The pilot’s judgment shall ultimately determine the sequence of actions taken and ATC shall render all possible assistance.
8.2 If the aircraft is required to deviate from track to avoid weather and prior clearance cannot be obtained, an air traffic control clearance shall be obtained at the earliest possible time. In the meantime, the aircraft shall follow the procedures detailed in paragraph 8.6 below.
8.3 The pilot shall advise ATC when weather deviation is no longer required, or when a weather deviation has been completed and the aircraft has returned to the centerline of its cleared route.
8.4 Obtaining priority from ATC when weather deviation is required.
8.4.1 When the pilot initiates communications with ATC, rapid response may be obtained by stating "WEATHER DEVIATION REQUIRED" to indicate that priority is desired on the frequency and for ATC response.
8.4.2 The pilot still retains the option of initiating the communications using the urgency call "PAN PAN PAN" to alert all listening parties to a special handling condition which will receive ATC priority for issuance of a clearance or assistance.
8.5 Actions to be taken when controller-pilot communications are established
8.5.1 The pilot notifies ATC and requests clearance to deviate from track, advising, when possible, the extent of the deviation expected.
7.4.2 ATC takes one of the following actions:
1 if there is no conflicting traffic in the horizontal dimension, ATC will issue clearance to deviate from track; or
2 if there is conflicting traffic in the horizontal dimension, ATC separates aircraft by establishing vertical separation; or
3 if there is conflicting traffic in the horizontal dimension and ATC is unable to establish vertical separation, ATC shall:
a) advise the pilot unable to issue clearance for requested deviation;
b) advise pilot of essential traffic; and
c) request pilot’s intentions.
SAMPLE PHRASEOLOGY:
“Unable to clear (requested deviation), traffic is (call sign, position, altitude, direction), advise intentions.”
8.5.3 The pilot will take the following actions:
1. Advise ATC of intentions; and
2. Comply with air traffic control clearance issued; or
3. Execute the procedures detailed in 8.6 below. (ATC will issue essential traffic information to all affected aircraft).
4. If necessary, establish voice communications with ATC to expedite dialogue on the situation
8.6 Actions to be taken if a revised air traffic control clearance cannot be obtained
8.6.1 The pilot shall take the actions listed below under the provision that the pilot may deviate from rules of the air, when it is absolutely necessary in the interests of safety to do so.
7.5.2 If a revised air traffic control clearance cannot be obtained and deviation from track is required to avoid weather, the pilot should take the following actions:
1 if possible, deviate away from an organized track or route system;
2 establish communication with and alert nearby aircraft by broadcasting, at suitable intervals: flight identification, flight level, aircraft position (including the ATS route designator or the track code) and intentions (including the magnitude of the deviation expected) on the frequency in use, as well as on frequency 121.5 MHz (or, as a back-up, the VHF inter-pilot air-to-air frequency 123.45).
3 watch for conflicting traffic both visually and by reference to ACAS (if equipped);
4 turn on all aircraft exterior lights (commensurate with appropriate operating limitations);
5 for deviations of less than 10 NM, aircraft should remain at the level assigned by ATC;
6 for deviations of greater than 10NM, when the aircraft is approximately 10 NM from track, initiate a level change based on the following criteria:
Route center line track Deviations >10 NM Level change
EAST (000-179 magnetic)
LEFT DESCEND 300 ft
RIGHT CLIMB 300 ft
WEST (180-359 magnetic)
RIGHT CLIMB 300 ft
LEFT DESCEND 300 ft
Note: 8.6.2.2 and 8.6.2.3 above call for the pilot to: broadcast aircraft position and pilot’s intentions, identify conflicting traffic and communicate air-to-air with near-by aircraft. If the pilot determines that there is another aircraft at or near the same FL with which his aircraft might conflict, then the pilot is expected to adjust the path of the aircraft, as necessary, to avoid conflict.
7 if contact was not established prior to deviating, continue to attempt to contact ATC to obtain a clearance. If contact was established, continue to keep ATC advised of intentions and obtain essential traffic information.
8 when returning to track, be at its assigned flight level, when the aircraft is within approximately 10 NM of center line.
